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<blockquote data-quote="(un)reason" data-source="post: 4877732" data-attributes="member: 27780"><p><strong><u>Dragon Magazine Issue 134: June 1988</u></strong></p><p></p><p>part 2/5</p><p></p><p>Give dragons a fighting chance: Hmm. This is stuff we've seen before, and will see again. Another bunch of ways you can power up your dragon, making them both scarier and more individualized. Unique powers, enhanced versions of exiting ones, clever applications of spellcasting, more detail in physical scaling, lots of reiteration here, some of which would be taken up and made official next edition. We also get another case of the endlessly quibblable sample battles. Not a very interesting one. Roll on the future, please. </p><p></p><p></p><p>AD&D, the pool of radiance computer game. Well well. That looks pretty nice, actually. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Serpents and sorcery: Hmm. Another bit of interesting foreshadowing here. The word sorcery in the title is particularly appropriate. This article sets out to explore draconic spellcasting, and how it differs from human magic-users capabilities. And in the process, makes them pretty similar to 3rd ed sorcerer's in the way they learn and retain spells entirely mentally, and can choose to use different ones for a situation. That certainly puts a new light and historical weight on the decision to give sorcerer's fluff that their powers are derived from draconic descent. How very pleasing to unearth. It also includes common spell suggestions and tactical tricks for the various chromatic and metallic dragon types. Course, these are tricks that could be used by any creature with the appropriate spells, including the PC's. In any case, this is a pretty strong article even if you don't take it's historical context into account, so I quite enjoyed it. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Lords and Legends: Yet another bit of historical coverage here, coming from the opposite direction. Dragotha was first mentioned in S2: White plume mountain. But that was merely a warning, from nearly a decade ago. Many have wondered since then, just who this Dragotha is, and what is his history. How did he come to the state of undeath? Wonder no more! Here he is, in all his glory! Which is actually considerably less scary than most older 2nd ed dragons, but that's power inflation for you. He's still capable of dropping an entire 20th level party in one breath if he gets the drop on them and they save badly, and with his horde of undead warriors, can exert substantial influence on the lands surrounding his lair. As with the underdark special three months ago, the use of original characters massively improves this series. In fact, since I've also put white plume mountain somewhere in my gameworld (muahaha!!) this is the first one of these I can actually see myself using. Considering how many issues of GitE and L&L we've had, that is a very definite turnup for the books, worthy of noting. This is turning out to be an intriguing birthday issue. </p><p></p><p></p><p>The ecology of the red dragon: We finally get an actual dragon race covered here. About time too. This series has been going 5 years now, and appearing most months and the closest we've come before is the chimera. Sensibly, it seems they've decided to only cover one draconic species, rather than the whole lot, which would take a truly epic special feature to do justice to the subject. Now they can milk it bit by bit for all it's worth. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> </p><p></p><p>Anyway, this is a rather longer ecology than most so far. This is one of those where the sage has to deal with a rather annoying questioner, in this case some dumb young adventurers who think they can go straight to the big leagues and kill a dragon without going through the goblins, lizard men, bugbears, ogres, and the rest of the monstrous food chain first. Still, at least he isn't subverted like the Harpy one, or personally attached to the creature like the Aurumvorax one, he does give accurate information (and some suppositions and extrapolations). Not that this is going to save the adventurers, since even in 1st ed, red dragons are powerful, smart and magically capable. They do include quite a few bits that some won't agree with, (draconic sexism, relatively severe aging rules, exploding poo. ) but this is still a pretty decent ecology, with plenty of detail and ideas. Not too brilliant, not too bad. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Sage advice is covering wider issues than simple rule questions this month.</p><p>What do you think of house rules. (Be carefull, be consistent, be upfront and explicit. But enough about my personal life. )</p><p></p><p>Can we convert AD&D characters to a D&D game (No. The two games must remain separate, by holy decree of Arneson! </p><p></p><p>Can I play more than one character at once ( We at skip towers do not have a problem with that idea. Go wild.)</p><p></p><p>Can demihumans change class once they release max level(no. Not in D&D, not in AD&D. They can't even be classes in D&D, and you have to pick your multiclass options when you start in AD&D. Your path is fixed.) </p><p></p><p>What are attack ranks (an excuse for demihumans to get more badass once they've maxed out their level. Blame non-joined up designing )</p><p></p><p>How long does lycanthropy take to complete (2-24 days) </p><p></p><p>What happens when you turn undead. (They run away like little girls. This does not solve the long term problem. I have to wonder why clerics were given this power. Maybe it's a godly conspiracy. ) </p><p></p><p>XP! Huh! What are they good for for once you're maximum level (not much) </p><p></p><p>When druids fight, does the loser drop a level (yes. They need to work the XP up again. Otherwise they could just rechallenge straight away. And no, restoration won't help you.)</p><p></p><p>How many druids are there above 30th level ( 25. And no epicly awesome heirophants after that. They're just about the only class that gets worse epic options in D&D than AD&D.) </p><p></p><p>When can fighters use special combat options (once they've learned how. They are a privelege, not a right.)</p><p></p><p>How many spells does a 1st level character have in their book (2)</p><p></p><p>Can I imitate perseus and have a medusa head shield ( :sucks teeth: Oooh, I really dunno. We really don't recommend it working for long, otherwise it'll <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> up the game. Plus there's the constant threat of the rest of the team being affected. )</p><p></p><p>How do medusas stone themselves (by looking in a mirror) </p><p></p><p>Why are normal bats stronger than giant bats (oops. We swapped the stats)</p><p></p><p>What special effect does a tiger beetle have (none. we mixed up the tiger and oil beetle. It's all the layout staff's fault. Yeah, that's the ticket. )</p><p></p><p>What does wolfsbane do (makes lycanthropes run away like little girls. Then they can cower in the corner with the undead from last encounter. And exchange haircare tips. Keeping it sleek and glossy is a lich when you're dead. )</p><p></p><p>How do you restore strength lost to shadows (patience) </p><p></p><p>Can a rod of cancelation disenchant constructs (nope) </p><p></p><p>Where is the description of the devil swine ( page 30 or 48, depending which book you have. Whatever happened to them? They were one of BD&D's more flavourfull monsters. )</p><p></p><p>Can rocs be used as mounts ( Yes, but it ain't easy. You'll have to assert your authority pretty strongly.) </p><p></p><p>What is a war horse (A horse trained for war. The name says it all. )</p><p></p><p>How lawful can an unintelligent creature be ( Repeaters aren't unintelligent. This is the problem with BD&D not giving proper attribute scores for creatures. Misconceptions like this. )</p><p></p><p>Why don't megaliths have XP values (because they have too many HD to measure properly. It's the old HD /= Challenge problem at very high levels.) </p><p></p><p>What's the encumbrance of a spellbook (pretty hefty. I could get precise values from Gary a few years ago, but I can't be bothered )</p><p></p><p>What do I do if the PC's get a too powerful magic item ( Let me count the ways. Take it away, rack up the opposition, give the other players more, let it run out. Your choices are myriad)</p><p></p><p>What's a pocket of holding (like a bag, only atatched to your trousers. You'd better hope they're sized right. )</p><p></p><p>Does your level affect powers from items you're using (No. This may cause scaling problems at high level. )</p><p></p><p>How do +1 items benefit a character. (oh, it's another moron question is it. Do you even know what a number is? Skip does not have time for this. Skip is a badass Mutha</p><p>Shut yo mouth</p><p>Hey, I'm talking about Skip here </p><p>I can dig it)</p><p></p><p>How can a bag of holding fit a 10' long item (extradimensional. Bigger inside than out. That's it's whole schtick. Once again, read the book properly)</p><p></p><p>Do you lose experience when you drink a potion of longevity (only if it's cursed. )</p><p></p><p>How do you avoid being trapped in a scroll of shelter (get out before it's taken down. Simple) </p><p></p><p>Can you add new creatures to the egg of wonder (oh yes. Like any random item, expanded tables to keep the characters on their toes are always welcome. Who knows, maybe we'll publish one in here. )</p><p></p><p>Can you bypass enemies as well as allies with an arrow of blinking (no)</p><p></p><p>Do magic arrows lose their magic when fired (yes. Use them wisely)</p><p></p><p>Can any elf or magic user use a crystal ball (yes. It's part of basic training, along with making spellbooks, and the curse which prevents you from using most weapons. ) </p><p></p><p>Does suit armor save you from fireball and lightning bolt (fireball, yes. Lightning bolt, no. Electricity likes metal very much, and then they make little singe babies. You don't wanna be inside when they're getting biz-ayh. ) </p><p></p><p>Can PC's make intelligent magic items (Yes indeedy. You need to be pretty high level though. )</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="(un)reason, post: 4877732, member: 27780"] [B][U]Dragon Magazine Issue 134: June 1988[/U][/B] part 2/5 Give dragons a fighting chance: Hmm. This is stuff we've seen before, and will see again. Another bunch of ways you can power up your dragon, making them both scarier and more individualized. Unique powers, enhanced versions of exiting ones, clever applications of spellcasting, more detail in physical scaling, lots of reiteration here, some of which would be taken up and made official next edition. We also get another case of the endlessly quibblable sample battles. Not a very interesting one. Roll on the future, please. AD&D, the pool of radiance computer game. Well well. That looks pretty nice, actually. Serpents and sorcery: Hmm. Another bit of interesting foreshadowing here. The word sorcery in the title is particularly appropriate. This article sets out to explore draconic spellcasting, and how it differs from human magic-users capabilities. And in the process, makes them pretty similar to 3rd ed sorcerer's in the way they learn and retain spells entirely mentally, and can choose to use different ones for a situation. That certainly puts a new light and historical weight on the decision to give sorcerer's fluff that their powers are derived from draconic descent. How very pleasing to unearth. It also includes common spell suggestions and tactical tricks for the various chromatic and metallic dragon types. Course, these are tricks that could be used by any creature with the appropriate spells, including the PC's. In any case, this is a pretty strong article even if you don't take it's historical context into account, so I quite enjoyed it. Lords and Legends: Yet another bit of historical coverage here, coming from the opposite direction. Dragotha was first mentioned in S2: White plume mountain. But that was merely a warning, from nearly a decade ago. Many have wondered since then, just who this Dragotha is, and what is his history. How did he come to the state of undeath? Wonder no more! Here he is, in all his glory! Which is actually considerably less scary than most older 2nd ed dragons, but that's power inflation for you. He's still capable of dropping an entire 20th level party in one breath if he gets the drop on them and they save badly, and with his horde of undead warriors, can exert substantial influence on the lands surrounding his lair. As with the underdark special three months ago, the use of original characters massively improves this series. In fact, since I've also put white plume mountain somewhere in my gameworld (muahaha!!) this is the first one of these I can actually see myself using. Considering how many issues of GitE and L&L we've had, that is a very definite turnup for the books, worthy of noting. This is turning out to be an intriguing birthday issue. The ecology of the red dragon: We finally get an actual dragon race covered here. About time too. This series has been going 5 years now, and appearing most months and the closest we've come before is the chimera. Sensibly, it seems they've decided to only cover one draconic species, rather than the whole lot, which would take a truly epic special feature to do justice to the subject. Now they can milk it bit by bit for all it's worth. ;) Anyway, this is a rather longer ecology than most so far. This is one of those where the sage has to deal with a rather annoying questioner, in this case some dumb young adventurers who think they can go straight to the big leagues and kill a dragon without going through the goblins, lizard men, bugbears, ogres, and the rest of the monstrous food chain first. Still, at least he isn't subverted like the Harpy one, or personally attached to the creature like the Aurumvorax one, he does give accurate information (and some suppositions and extrapolations). Not that this is going to save the adventurers, since even in 1st ed, red dragons are powerful, smart and magically capable. They do include quite a few bits that some won't agree with, (draconic sexism, relatively severe aging rules, exploding poo. ) but this is still a pretty decent ecology, with plenty of detail and ideas. Not too brilliant, not too bad. Sage advice is covering wider issues than simple rule questions this month. What do you think of house rules. (Be carefull, be consistent, be upfront and explicit. But enough about my personal life. ) Can we convert AD&D characters to a D&D game (No. The two games must remain separate, by holy decree of Arneson! Can I play more than one character at once ( We at skip towers do not have a problem with that idea. Go wild.) Can demihumans change class once they release max level(no. Not in D&D, not in AD&D. They can't even be classes in D&D, and you have to pick your multiclass options when you start in AD&D. Your path is fixed.) What are attack ranks (an excuse for demihumans to get more badass once they've maxed out their level. Blame non-joined up designing ) How long does lycanthropy take to complete (2-24 days) What happens when you turn undead. (They run away like little girls. This does not solve the long term problem. I have to wonder why clerics were given this power. Maybe it's a godly conspiracy. ) XP! Huh! What are they good for for once you're maximum level (not much) When druids fight, does the loser drop a level (yes. They need to work the XP up again. Otherwise they could just rechallenge straight away. And no, restoration won't help you.) How many druids are there above 30th level ( 25. And no epicly awesome heirophants after that. They're just about the only class that gets worse epic options in D&D than AD&D.) When can fighters use special combat options (once they've learned how. They are a privelege, not a right.) How many spells does a 1st level character have in their book (2) Can I imitate perseus and have a medusa head shield ( :sucks teeth: Oooh, I really dunno. We really don't recommend it working for long, otherwise it'll :):):):) up the game. Plus there's the constant threat of the rest of the team being affected. ) How do medusas stone themselves (by looking in a mirror) Why are normal bats stronger than giant bats (oops. We swapped the stats) What special effect does a tiger beetle have (none. we mixed up the tiger and oil beetle. It's all the layout staff's fault. Yeah, that's the ticket. ) What does wolfsbane do (makes lycanthropes run away like little girls. Then they can cower in the corner with the undead from last encounter. And exchange haircare tips. Keeping it sleek and glossy is a lich when you're dead. ) How do you restore strength lost to shadows (patience) Can a rod of cancelation disenchant constructs (nope) Where is the description of the devil swine ( page 30 or 48, depending which book you have. Whatever happened to them? They were one of BD&D's more flavourfull monsters. ) Can rocs be used as mounts ( Yes, but it ain't easy. You'll have to assert your authority pretty strongly.) What is a war horse (A horse trained for war. The name says it all. ) How lawful can an unintelligent creature be ( Repeaters aren't unintelligent. This is the problem with BD&D not giving proper attribute scores for creatures. Misconceptions like this. ) Why don't megaliths have XP values (because they have too many HD to measure properly. It's the old HD /= Challenge problem at very high levels.) What's the encumbrance of a spellbook (pretty hefty. I could get precise values from Gary a few years ago, but I can't be bothered ) What do I do if the PC's get a too powerful magic item ( Let me count the ways. Take it away, rack up the opposition, give the other players more, let it run out. Your choices are myriad) What's a pocket of holding (like a bag, only atatched to your trousers. You'd better hope they're sized right. ) Does your level affect powers from items you're using (No. This may cause scaling problems at high level. ) How do +1 items benefit a character. (oh, it's another moron question is it. Do you even know what a number is? Skip does not have time for this. Skip is a badass Mutha Shut yo mouth Hey, I'm talking about Skip here I can dig it) How can a bag of holding fit a 10' long item (extradimensional. Bigger inside than out. That's it's whole schtick. Once again, read the book properly) Do you lose experience when you drink a potion of longevity (only if it's cursed. ) How do you avoid being trapped in a scroll of shelter (get out before it's taken down. Simple) Can you add new creatures to the egg of wonder (oh yes. Like any random item, expanded tables to keep the characters on their toes are always welcome. Who knows, maybe we'll publish one in here. ) Can you bypass enemies as well as allies with an arrow of blinking (no) Do magic arrows lose their magic when fired (yes. Use them wisely) Can any elf or magic user use a crystal ball (yes. It's part of basic training, along with making spellbooks, and the curse which prevents you from using most weapons. ) Does suit armor save you from fireball and lightning bolt (fireball, yes. Lightning bolt, no. Electricity likes metal very much, and then they make little singe babies. You don't wanna be inside when they're getting biz-ayh. ) Can PC's make intelligent magic items (Yes indeedy. You need to be pretty high level though. ) [/QUOTE]
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